HE WILL PILOT THEE

HE WILL PILOT THEE!

Mark 4:37-39

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

           Great ships sit at anchor within sight of the shore. Why do they wait? They have called for and are waiting for the harbor pilot. He knows these waters. He has sounded the depths and is familiar with the narrows. He is aware of every hidden wreck and rock. He and he alone can be trusted to guide the ship safely to the dock.

           Edward Hopper ministered at the Church of the Sea and Land in New York City. There he met sailors from around the world. He wrote the words to a hymn called Jesus Savior, Pilot me. The poem first appeared in The Sailor’s Magazine in 1871. We may feel confident to sail our vessel on the deeps but we need the Pilot to guide us safely home.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


While th’Apostles’ fragile bark
Struggled with the billows dark,
On the stormy Galilee,
Thou didst walk upon the sea;
And when they beheld Thy form,
Safe they glided through the storm.


Though the sea be smooth and bright,
Sparkling with the stars of night,
And my ship’s path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days,
Still I know my need of Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


When the darkling heavens frown,
And the wrathful winds come down,
And the fierce waves, tossed on high,
Lash themselves against the sky,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea.


As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
When Thou sayest to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

Heavenly Father, be my Pilot today. AMEN